Monday, March 28, 2016

DETROIT - A 50-year-old American Airlines co-pilot who was arrested over the weekend at Detroit Metro Airport on suspicion of being drunk has been charged.
John Francis MaGuire, of Pennsylvania, is facing a misdemeanor charge of operating an aircraft while under the influence. An arraignment is pending. The Federal Aviation Administration said MaGuire was detained Saturday morning from Flight 736 from Detroit to Philadelphia. Local 4 has learned he failed two breathalyzer tests. Passenger Mitchell Blaine was heading to a spring break trip with other seniors from Gross Pointe North High School."Everyone was talking about it and stunned when they finally figured out what it was," Mitchell Blaine said.The flight was canceled and all passengers were accommodated.American Airlines released the following statement:"This is a serious matter and we are assisting local law enforcement and the Federal Aviation Administration with the investigation. We will handle this matter appropriately as the safety and care of our customers and employees is our highest priority. Out of respect for this employee's privacy, we will not have further details to release. Flight 736 has cancelled and we are reaccommodating our customers on other flights. We apologize to our customers for the disruption to their travel plans."Story and photos: http://www.clickondetroit.com

An American Airlines pilot who was arrested Saturday after authorities say he failed a breathalyzer test on the runway at Detroit's Metropolitan Airport was charged today with operating an aircraft under the influence of alcohol.The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said John Francis Maguire, 50, has been charged with the misdemeanor and said a date for the arraignment has yet to be scheduled.Maguire was in the cockpit and allegedly under the influence of alcohol around 6:30 a.m. Saturday, moments before his flight was due to leave for Philadelphia, according to the prosecutor’s office.He failed a field breathalyzer test and was then arrested and given another test, said Michael Conway, director of public affairs at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Maguire's blood alcohol content was not released, but Conway said it was over the limit for a pilot.Federal Aviation Administration rules state that pilots cannot fly with a blood alcohol content of 0.04 percent or greater.The airline said Flight 736 was cancelled and customers were put on other flights.American Airlines previously said in a statement: "This is a serious matter and we are assisting local law enforcement and the Federal Aviation Administration with the investigation. We will handle this matter appropriately as the safety and care of our customers and employees is our highest priority."Original article can be found here: http://abcnews.go.com